Wales

Plough Inn

Aberaman, Mid Glamorgan

Last January, the back garden of the Plough Inn was a rubbish dump with absolutely no facilities even if its customers were prepared to put up with the mess. By summer, it was packed every weekend thanks to a makeover carried out by Craig and Millissia Owen.

Regulars help with DIY

Equally impressive is the fact that the work was largely carried out by the Owens with help from some of their regulars and a couple of local people who provided technical help when required.

One of the significant decisions taken

by Craig and Millissia was to use materials

and install equipment that would help to

maximise the number of days on which the garden could be used.

All-weather provision

Apart from the obvious inclusion of canopies and heaters, careful thought went into providing wind-breaks as added protection against the elements. Care was also taken when choosing materials to surface the garden. Wooden decking is used at the entrance to the beer garden followed by a mixture of grass and paving, either slabs or brick setts.

While the grassed area is ideal for a children's play area or for sun-worshippers to lie on when the weather's fine, the Owens decided that hard surfaces were required for rainy days.

Craig and Millissia also decided to install an electricity supply to a pergola in the far corner of the compact 45ft x 50ft garden so that live music could be accommodated. An added attraction was a bouncy castle.

Craig comments: "No other pub around here has one, so we attracted families from miles away."

Beer festivals

Spurred on by the success of the garden, there are plans to add more features at the Consortium Group managed house.

Millissia says an awning with integral heaters is planned to provide additional shelter on one side of the Plough, which will also help counter the effects of the impending smoking ban.

An order for a marquee has already been placed, which will be used to cover the

decking area when the Owens want to

organise beer festivals during the cooler weather and rain-prone months.